Soviet past - Private day tour to Chiatura, Katskhi pillar and Chronicles

5.0 (31 reviews) 9–11 hours Free cancellation Private tour

out of 5

31 reviews

5.0

Soviet past - Private day tour to Chiatura, Katskhi pillar and Chronicles — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Soviet past - Private day tour to Chiatura, Katskhi pillar and Chronicles, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Discover the non-touristic Georgia on this full day trip to the macabre town of Chiatura - once a modern mining town with highest number of cable cars, it resembles a ghost town today with its abandoned mines, empty apartments and decaying Soviet architecture.

The time seems to stand still here and so you can take a ride in one of the last rusty cable cars, overlooking the factories, enjoy the panorama view from the half-abandoned concrete settlements on the hills and see a morbide dedication to Stalin here and there.

On our tour we also visit the country side of Imereti region, that builds a contrast to industrial Chiatura - the ancient holy pillar of Katskhi with a tiny church on top or the rock hew Mgvimevi convent with frescoes from XIV century.

Day Trips Full-day Tours Private and Luxury Private Sightseeing Tours Architecture Tours Historical Tours City Tours Classic Car Tours

At a glance

Duration: 9–11 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–15
Guide: English
Operated by: Real Georgia Tours

Ages: Children (5–14 years) · Adults (15–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Bottled water
Included: On-board WiFi: WiFi on board
Included: Perfect for photographers
Included: Katskhi sveti - a natural stone pilar with a church on top
Included: Visit the Mgvimevi monastery - the only one where the church is built inside a natural cave
Included: See the old cable cars of Chiatura and explore the abandoned areas in the ghost like town
Included: Private tour with local guide, who knows the best locations.

Not included

Not included: Lunch (we can recommend our favorite spots)
Not included: Gratuities

Itinerary

Cableways Chiatura

2 hours

Though the old cable cars have been suspended, the rusty cabins and the brutalist stations still make a great sight and photo setting.

Visit some of the most interesting and unique cable car stations before they get forever destroyed.
Katskhi Pillar

30 min

One of a kind - the monastery that was built on a huge rock pillar. Until today, many legends surround this place and it still attracts pilgrims from all Georgia.
Monastery Mgvimevi

30 min

An unusual kind of monastery, where nature and architecture become one.

Built in a cave in the late middle ages, the picturesque monastery looks like an alien among the concrete socialist surroundings.
Chronicles Of Georgia

30 min

The must see for any lover of Soviet architecture - the giant monument overlooking the concrete suburbs is a perfect place to finish the tour.

Meeting point and pickup

The operator picks every participant up from their accommodation or the points below.

Pickup points

Hotel M9
DejaVu Hotel
Boutique Hotel Day Inn
Siberia Hotel
Mia B&B Old Tbilisi
Artists Residence in Tbilisi
Gvino Minda Hotel
B&B Rooms
Apartment Rustaveli Opera
Sheraton Grand Tbilisi Metechi Palace
Dream Hill Terrace
Hotel Frida

and 322 more pickup points

We will pick you up from your hotel or vacation rental in Tbilisi. Please share your accommodation location after the booking.

Using your ticket

Thank you for booking with us!

Your guide will pick you up at 9 am - please let us know your location in Tbilisi.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

Good to know

Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Please note, that as of the moment, all old cable cars have been suspended for safety reasons, but you can still see them